Loeb to make Ferrari debut

Despite deciding to give the Le Mans 24 Hours a miss this year, Sebastien Loeb will return to endurance racing this weekend.

The six-time World Rally Champion will take part in the next round of the French GT3 Championship, at the Val de Vienne circuit in central France from June 26-27.

Loeb will share a Ferrari F430 run by the Pro GT team with his friend Jean-Pierre Champeau, who has previously partnered him on other outings in the French GT Championship - most recently at Nogaro last year.

On his previous GT outings Loeb drove a Porsche, but this will be the first time that he drives a Ferrari.

As well as being a special occasion for Loeb, this will also be a special occasion for the circuit, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Although Loeb has been linked to a full-time switch to racing in future, the Frenchman says that his latest outing is purely for pleasure.

Loeb’s racing exploits will also help him prepare for the first asphalt rally of the season, which takes place in Bulgaria two weeks later.